Picuris Pueblo is one of the smallest Pueblo communities in New Mexico, with a population of under 300. It sits in a mountain valley at approximately 7,300 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains southeast of Taos, accessible via NM-518 through Penasco. The Pueblo is ancestrally related to the Tiwa-speaking communities at Taos Pueblo but has its own distinct history and identity.

Picuris was one of the most powerful Pueblo communities in the Rio Grande valley in the 17th century, with an estimated population of 3,000 before Spanish colonization. Epidemic disease and colonial disruption reduced that population dramatically. The Pueblo participated in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and today maintains a small but determined community on its ancestral land.

The Pueblo maintains a small herd of buffalo on tribal land. Buffalo have ceremonial and cultural significance and the herd is part of a broader effort by several Pueblo communities to restore their relationship with the animal.

Picuris Pueblo is known for its micaceous clay pottery, made from a local clay containing mica that gives the finished pieces a characteristic golden glitter. The tradition is centuries old and the clay source is specific to the mountains around Picuris. Micaceous pots were historically used for cooking and are still fired without a kiln, in the traditional outdoor method. They are functional, beautiful, and among the most distinctive Pueblo pottery forms in the Southwest.

Pottery can sometimes be purchased directly from artisans at the Pueblo when visitors are welcome. The Millicent Rogers Museum in El Prado also holds examples of Picuris micaceous pottery in its collection.

Picuris Pueblo is open to visitors when the community chooses to allow access. The Pueblo has a small museum and cultural center. San Lorenzo Feast Day is August 10, one of the primary public events on the ceremonial calendar. Call ahead to confirm access, dates, and any visitor protocols before making the drive.

Picuris Pueblo is about 25 miles southeast of Taos via NM-518 through Penasco. The route goes south on NM-68 to NM-518 east through the mountain villages of Vadito and Penasco. Drive time is approximately 45 minutes. The road is paved but winding and mountain conditions apply in winter.

This route is also part of the High Road to Santa Fe, which continues south from Penasco through Truchas and Chimayo. A visit to Picuris can be combined with a High Road drive if time allows.

• High Road to Santa Fe
• Taos Pueblo Guide
• Taos Museums